Historic Blauvelt Mansion in Oradell sold in foreclosure auction for $100

ORADELL – The Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion, the historic landmark on Kinderkamack Road that has long been at the center of legal wrangling, was sold at a Bergen County Sheriff’s foreclosure auction on Friday.

Blauvelt Associates LLC, a subsidiary of Fort Lee-based CareOne, LLC paid $100 for the two outstanding mortgages, becoming the full owner of the 19th century estate. The mortgages reportedly totaled $3.9 million.

Michael Caruso, an attorney for Blauvelt Associates, did not return calls for comment on Monday. CareOne officials also did not return calls.

CareOne LLC, which already holds the title to the property, has long sought to build an assisted living facility on the grounds of the 4.3 acre estate, proposals that met stiff opposition from locals who want to preserve the mansion, which was constructed in the late 1890s.

In 2007, CareOne sought permission to build a 76-unit assisted living facility on the property, but, during the hearings, the company amended its plan to 72 units with a promise to preserve the mansion. Still the board denied the application. A second application in 2008 called for a 68-unit facility. Although that proposal was also denied the board said it was amenable to a 34-unit facility.

Blauvelt Associates bought the estate’s $2.6 million mortgage in 2011 from owner, Jeffrey Wells, whose father purchased the property at 699 Kinderkamack Road in 1978. At a January sale, which had been postponed, there was also a $700,000 mortgage attached to the property. Wells was listed as defendant in both foreclosures.

Wells had once proposed putting a catering hall on the property, but later dropped the plan after outcry from neighbors in 2007. He entered into a contact with CareOne later that year to allow the company to build an assisted living facility for dementia patients on the estate’s grounds.

Borough officials said Monday they were not aware of any pending applications before the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the property, but they expected future discussions with the property’s owners.

“I am assuming that the town would have discussions with them about the future use of the property,” Borough Attorney Brian Giblin said.

Historic Blauvelt Mansion in Oradell sold in foreclosure auction for $100

ORADELL – The Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion, the historic landmark on Kinderkamack Road that has long been at the center of legal wrangling, was sold at a Bergen County Sheriff’s foreclosure auction on Friday.

Blauvelt Associates LLC, a subsidiary of Fort Lee-based CareOne, LLC paid $100 for the two outstanding mortgages, becoming the full owner of the 19th century estate. The mortgages reportedly totaled $3.9 million.

Michael Caruso, an attorney for Blauvelt Associates, did not return calls for comment on Monday. CareOne officials also did not return calls.

CareOne LLC, which already holds the title to the property, has long sought to build an assisted living facility on the grounds of the 4.3 acre estate, proposals that met stiff opposition from locals who want to preserve the mansion, which was constructed in the late 1890s.

In 2007, CareOne sought permission to build a 76-unit assisted living facility on the property, but, during the hearings, the company amended its plan to 72 units with a promise to preserve the mansion. Still the board denied the application. A second application in 2008 called for a 68-unit facility. Although that proposal was also denied the board said it was amenable to a 34-unit facility.

Blauvelt Associates bought the estate’s $2.6 million mortgage in 2011 from owner, Jeffrey Wells, whose father purchased the property at 699 Kinderkamack Road in 1978. At a January sale, which had been postponed, there was also a $700,000 mortgage attached to the property. Wells was listed as defendant in both foreclosures.

Wells had once proposed putting a catering hall on the property, but later dropped the plan after outcry from neighbors in 2007. He entered into a contact with CareOne later that year to allow the company to build an assisted living facility for dementia patients on the estate’s grounds.

Borough officials said Monday they were not aware of any pending applications before the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the property, but they expected future discussions with the property’s owners.

“I am assuming that the town would have discussions with them about the future use of the property,” Borough Attorney Brian Giblin said.